Catchings, Fever hold off Lynx to take Game 1

Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Tamika Catchings scored seven of her team-
high 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Indiana Fever held off the
Minnesota Lynx, 76-70, in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals.

Erlana Larkins added 16 points and 15 rebounds for the Fever, who had been 0-2
against the Lynx this season.

Erin Phillips contributed 13 points and Briann January netted 11 in the
victory.

Seimone Augustus scored a game-high 23 points, while Maya Moore finished with
14 points and 10 rebounds for the Lynx, who are trying to become the first
back-to-back champions since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001-02.

Rebekkah Brunson also had a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards in
defeat.

Game 2 of this best-of-five series will be on Wednesday.

The Fever carried a 25-20 lead into the second quarter and started the frame
with a 7-2 run to open up a 10-point advantage, but Minnesota answered with
eight straight points to get back within 32-30 with around five minutes
remaining in the half.

The Lynx would not be able to knot the game, however, and Indiana held a 43-40
lead at the break.

After January opened the third quarter with a shot from beyond the arc,
Minnesota reeled off a 14-4 spurt to go on top, 54-50, and did not trail for
the remainder of the third, taking a 58-56 edge into the final quarter.

But the Lynx would be held to just four points over the first six-plus minutes
of the fourth while the Fever ripped off 16 to regain a double-digit cushion,
72-62.

Minnesota would not get closer than five points from there as Indiana cruised
to victory.